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Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
Science Media Centre NZ - Latest News [Page 2]
RMA Out: Fewer Plans, Fewer Consents – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 5:30 pm | Science Media Centre
Individuals will have fewer opportunities for input on individual consents, while councils will have a lower threshold for compensating landowners facing “significant” impact from planning controls, like heritage sites or significant natural areas. More >>
40-Year Water Fluoridation Study Finds No Negative Effect On Brain Development – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 20 November 2025, 12:06 pm | Science Media Centre
Researchers looked at language and maths test results from tens of thousands of US high schoolers in 1980, and the water fluoride levels they were exposed to since conception. More >>
Speaking More Than One Language Could Protect Against Aging – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 12:41 pm | Science Media Centre
The authors say that learning more than one language could help countries dealing with ageing populations. The Science Media Centre asked third-party NZ experts for local context on the findings. More >>
Tongariro’s Unique Ecosystem Up In Flames – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 13 November 2025, 12:15 pm | Science Media Centre
A massive 3,000-hectare blaze in Tongariro National Park has disrupted native wildlife and habitats. The SMC asked experts to comment. More >>
NZ’s Climate Law To Change – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 7:12 pm | Science Media Centre
It sends a clear signal that this government is not serious about domestic emissions reductions, says Professor James Renwick, Professor of Physical Geography, Victoria University – Te Herenga Waka, More >>
What You Should Know Ahead Of Measles Immunisation Week – Expert Reaction
Friday, 31 October 2025, 5:24 pm | Science Media Centre
Immunisation coverage of 95% is needed to prevent measles spread, but estimated rates in Aotearoa are much lower, and childhood vaccination rates have dropped in recent years. More >>
New Science Curriculum – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 30 October 2025, 3:22 pm | Science Media Centre
The science curriculum rewrite has been long awaited after being put on hold at the 2023 election and paused again in 2024. This draft is open for six months’ consultation, and is due to be introduced to schools in 2027. More >>
COP30 To Focus On Limiting Warming, Climate Finance – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 2:19 pm | Science Media Centre
Key issues for COP30 include limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, climate finance commitments, and the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. More >>
Biggest Beech Mast In Seven Years – Expert Reaction
Friday, 24 October 2025, 1:45 pm | Science Media Centre
Aerial 1080 predator control operations will be focussed in two rounds – later this year before seed falls in autumn and from late 2026, once seed has been eaten or germinated. More >>
Wildfires Amid Extreme Winds – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 22 October 2025, 5:40 pm | Science Media Centre
Metservice has issued a red warning for strong winds for Thursday for the regions of Canterbury, Wellington, and Wairarapa south of Carterton. More >>
First-Ever Research Conference Led By AI – Expert Reaction
Monday, 20 October 2025, 3:56 pm | Science Media Centre
“This is an interesting experiment, where different large language models (LLMs) have been used as part of the research process, including in both research and review”, Dr Andrew Lensen comments. More >>
Committee Recommendations On The Gene Tech Bill – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 16 October 2025, 11:49 am | Science Media Centre
The long-awaited report, published last Friday, makes several recommendations. These include which organisms and technologies should fall out of the Bill’s scope. More >>
NZ’s New Targets To Manage Its Methane Emissions – Expert Reaction
Monday, 13 October 2025, 4:14 pm | Science Media Centre
New Zealand’s current domestic target is a 24 – 47% reduction in biogenic methane below 2017 levels by 2050. Today’s announcement now sets that range to 14 – 24%. More >>
Climate Change Is Hammering NZ’s Oceans – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 1:24 pm | Science Media Centre
Our Marine Environment 2025, produced by The Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, highlights how climate change and human activity are putting increasing pressure on our coasts and the ocean. More >>
Hauraki Gulf Bill Set To Pass – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 1:15 pm | Science Media Centre
The Bill extends protections of current marine reserves in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, including at Cathedral Cove, as well as adding new protected areas. More >>
High Nitrate Levels Found In Rural NZ Drinking Water – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 12:53 pm | Science Media Centre
The first-ever national rural drinking water survey found 5% of private bore samples tested exceeded the national maximum nitrate guidelines. Researchers say farming intensification is behind high nitrate levels in Canterbury, Waikato & Southland. More >>
Quake-Prone Buildings Redefined – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 12:38 pm | Science Media Centre
Following the Seismic Risk Management Review, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says the system is being refocused to reduce repair costs and prevent buildings from being left empty and derelict. More >>
Will The World Overshoot Its Climate Targets? – Expert Q&A
Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 12:30 pm | Science Media Centre
The first-ever Overshoot Conference in Austria will discuss how we might recover our climate targets through mitigation or carbon removal, and also what destructive climate effects might come from exceeding them. The conference begins on 30 September More >>
Repeat Head Knocks May Damage Young Athletes’ Brains – Expert Reaction
Thursday, 18 September 2025, 12:19 pm | Science Media Centre
The study suggests that repeated head knocks can cause long-term brain damage regardless of whether the athlete goes on to develop the degenerative brain condition Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). More >>
Observations Confirm NZ Scientist’s Black Hole Theory – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 17 September 2025, 9:30 am | Science Media Centre
The new study is based on a gravitational wave signal picked up in January this year. One of the study authors said the “exquisitely clear” data meant they could identify two ‘tones’ from the “black hole voices”, and confirm they behaved according ... More >>
